China imposes sanctions on two US arms manufacturers

China has imposed sanctions on two prominent U.S. arms manufacturers, Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman, in response to their involvement in arms shipments to Chinese Taipei. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning expressed China's strong opposition to the U.S. government's decision to supply arms to Taiwan, citing its detrimental impact on China's sovereignty and security interests.

She noted Lockheed Martin's role as the primary contractor for U.S. arms sales to Taiwan and Northrop Grumman's repeated involvement in such transactions. Ning stated, "In accordance with the Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law of the People's Republic of China (PRC), China has decided to impose sanctions on the above two U.S. military companies." Previously, the U.S. had conducted arms sales, totaling $19 billion, including weaponry, ammunition, and military equipment to Taipei.

However, most of these transactions faced complications due to disagreements over payment terms between the two parties. U.S. Congressman Rob Wittman, who led a congressional delegation to Taipei earlier in the month, emphasized the responsibility to address the existing backlog in foreign military sales between the two nations.Beijing characterized this move as the latest in a series of provocations by Washington. China has consistently advocated for peaceful means to reunify Taipei and issued warnings that it is prepared to resort to force if necessary to reunite the island with the mainland.